It might feel like a virtual reality simulator straight out of science fiction, but instead of shooting phasers at Klingons, you’re taking a futuristic route to shaving a few strokes off your golf game.

Golfers got the high-tech treatment when the Cal State Fullerton Golf Lab showed off their motion capture technology at their first Open House event Friday.

The event allowed students, members of the surrounding community and general golf fanatics alike to come see the CSUF Golf Research Lab’s research techniques first hand.

“We have a bunch of different technology,” said CSUF Professor of Kinesiology Scott Lynn. “We can measure the 3-D movement of the human body, and we can measure the forces that go into the ground … Then we have the doppler radar ball tracker device, which can measure the club and the ball.”

The golfer hits the ball at a screen with a golf course projected on it. Computers then track the power of the swing and the myriad of other factors behind the physics behind it and interpret that data in a way that can tell a golfer where they need improvement.

“Just to see the specifics of every swing is really cool—the little things to make your swing that much better,” said 16-year-old golfer Max Hagar.

Despite his 11 years of experience in the sport, Hagar still took something away from the open house.

“I need to work on hitting straight,” he said.

The Golf Lab hopes to help students and community members both improve and lengthen their game, Lynn said.

“Our ultimate goal is to adjust how the body moves to make it hit the ball better, so that you can play better and play longer,” Lynn said. “A lot of times, the reason people give up the game is because they get injured or it becomes not fun anymore because it’s just too hard.”

During the open house, guests were treated to a demonstration of the research technology, which included motion plates, radar and motion capture cameras. These pieces of technology are often associated with the entertainment industry, including video games like The Batman Arkham game series and films like The Lord of The Rings.

After a demonstration and explanation of the equipment, attendees were able to try out some of the technology by participating in a “closest to the pin” virtual golf competition. Participants took a ball and club to use with the golf simulator in an attempt to put their ball nearest a virtual hole.

The equipment in the lab was primarily paid for by contributions from CSUF and donors.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have people supporting our research that way, and that’s how I think we’re going to advance this lab is through donations and finding our own funding so we can get the equipment we need,” Lynn said. “The problem with this lab is it’s very costly—the technology is not cheap.”

Although prices are still being finalized, the cost for a full swing analysis would come out to about $200 for a golfer not affiliated with the university, said Robert Dudley, the graduate director of the lab. Student discounts are being considered, and free research study opportunities may become available as well.

The CSUF center is one of only a few labs that provide this degree of analysis to golfers, Lynn said, making the opportunity for students and community members all the more unique.

“There’s one lab in Texas that does this, and then us. There’s one lab in Ireland that does it as well,” Lynn said. “Basically, three labs on the planet that does this. Unless you live in Ireland or Texas, you can come here.”

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